Trying to do some research.
Can anyone cite some studies as to whether DOMS should be taken as a evidence of an effective workout or if experiencing it should be viewed negatively?
First off, while the soreness associated with DOMS is real, up to six hypothesised theories have been proposed for the mechanism of DOMS, namely: lactic acid, muscle spasm, connective tissue damage, muscle damage, inflammation and the enzyme efflux theories. We do know that it seems to happen when you do an activity that you are not accustom to so it is most likely and adaptation to an unfamiliar stress and has nothing to do with muscular growth. You can certainly grow well with no DOMs at all and there is evidence to suggest this.
The below study compared a non-trained group with a trained group doing the same exercise. Only the non-trained group reported DOMS. Both groups increased muscular strength and muscular size. So DOMS was not considered a factor.
https://jeb.biologists.org/content/214/4/674
There is also research that suggests that the soreness felt from DOMS is not from damaged muscle fibers but more so from the connective tissues.
https://physoc.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1113/jphysiol.2007.128827
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